Abstract
This paper explores the use of hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel for railway traction system applications. The most suitable arrangement involves harnessing hydrogen energy via fuel cell supported by batteries. Three factors are discussed for determining the suitability of deploying hydrogen technology in railways in Saudi Arabia: the hydrogen production in Saudi Arabia; the environmental challenges of operating hydrogen trains in Saudi Arabia; and the potential railway lines where hydrogen trains might be suitable to be deployed. Following this, a technical feasibility study for retrofitting one of the existing diesel-electric trains in Saudi with a hydrogen fuel cell system is analyzed. The analysis considers in particular the dimensional and gravimetrical aspects of the retrofit and its impact on train operating distance and speed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Schlapbach L (2009) Hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Nature 460:809–811
Corbo P, Migliardini F, Veneri O (2011) Hydrogen fuel cells for road vehicles. Springer, London
Madovi O, Hoffrichter A, Little N, Foster SN, Isaac R (2021) Feasibility of hydrogen fuel cell technology for railway intercity services: a case study for the Piedmont in North Carolina. Railw Eng Sci 29:258–270
Sun Y, Anwar M, Hassan NMS, Spiryagin M, Cole C (2021) A review of hydrogen technologies and engineering solutions for railway vehicle design and operations. Railw Eng Sci 29:212–232
Hoffrichter A (2013) Hydrogen as an energy carrier for railway traction. PhD dissertation. The University of Birmingham
Zenith F, Isaac R, Hoffrichter A, Thomassen MS, Moller-Holst S (2019) Techno-economic analysis of freight railway electrification by overhead line, hydrogen and batteries: Case studies in Norway and USA. Rail Rapid Transit 234(7):791–802
Siddiqui O, Dincer I (2019) A review on fuel cell-based locomotive powering options for sustainable transportation. Arab J Sci Eng 44:677–693
Berger R (2019) Study on the use of fuel cells and hydrogen in the railway environment, report 1. Shift2Rail
Murray-Smith D (2020) Modelling and simulation of hybrid electric trains powered by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries for routes in the highlands of Scotland. Scottish Association for Public Transport
Ovidioa G, Omettob A, Valentinib O (2021) A novel predictive power flow control strategy for hydrogen city rail train. Int J Hydrogen Energy 45(7):4922–4931
Hoffrichter A, Hillmansen S, Roberts C (2016) Conceptual propulsion system design for a hydrogen-powered regional train. IET Electr Syst Transp 6:56–66
Miller AR, Hess KS, Barnes DL, Erickson TL (2007) System design of a large fuel cell hybrid locomotive. J Power Sources 173(2):935–942
Kent S, Gunawardana D, Chicken T (2016) Fuel cell electric multiple unit (FCEMU) Project—Phase 1 Report. University of Birmingham, Hitachi Rail, Fuel Cell Systems Limited
Frederik Braun J, Shabaneh R (2021) Saudi Arabia’s clean hydrogen ambitions: opportunities and challenges. KAPSARC, Riyadh
Ballared TM (2021) Fuel cell power module for heavy duty motive Dara sheet
AKASYSTEM AKM CYC ultra high performance technology for ultra high energy applications. [Online]. https://www.akasol.com/library/Downloads/Datenbl%C3%A4tter/02.02.2022/AK_Datenblatt_AKASystem_9-AKM-150_CYC_EN.pdf
Regional Express Rail Program Hydrail Feasibility Study Report (2018) CH2M HILL Canada Limited, Ernst and Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc., Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
Huaa TQ, Ahluwalia RK, Peng J-K, Kromerb M, Lasherb S, McKenneyb K, Lawb K, Sinhab J (2011) Technical assessment of compressed hydrogen storage tank systems for automotive applications. Int J Hydrogen Energy 36(4):3037–3049
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Ibrahim, A., Abido, M. (2023). Hydrogen Fuel Cell for Passenger Railway Transport and Its Deployment in Saudi Arabia. In: Ujikawa, K., Ishiwatari, M., Hullebusch, E.v. (eds) Environment and Sustainable Development. ACESD 2022. Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4101-8_34
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4101-8_34
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-99-4100-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-99-4101-8
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)